digthis08 - Tools of the trade

Tools of the Trade
There are many tools used in archaeological digs. The most commonly used tool would probably be a Masonic trowel. The trowel is lightweight and easy to use. It is also portable and when used, is delicate enough to dig through soil and prevent buried artifacts from breaking. For digging larger areas, one should use picks and/or shovels. These tools are much larger than trowels, and can easily break artifacts hidden in the soil.

The other tools archaeologists use are penknives, toothbrushes, and even dental equipment like probes. Spoons can also come in handy when digging the soil out of small stakeholes. It seems like just about anything can be used in an excavation!

Weather is a key factor in successful digs. Sunny weather with light rain in the evening would make the site moist enough to work in. If the weather is dry, most archaeologists would spray the area with water to keep the soil damp. However, if it rains too heavily, the site can become damaged and unable to be excavated until later.

Image Sources:
http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=howTo&p=BuyGuide/MsnTlBG.html
http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/pickaxe
http://www.rustytin.com/Garden%20Decor.htm
http://www.nova-direct.com/
http://www.istockphoto.com/file_closeup/what/specific_objects/everyday_items/493058_old_worn_out_tooth_brush.php?id=493058&refnum=406267
http://www.walkandtravel.com/products/detail.asp?81,0,0,0,6
http://picasaweb.google.com/Year8PHY/JenniferTsui8B/photo#5168260558204943874
Note: The image sources are not in order.
~Victoria Lambert